L&W Supply is the largest specialty dealer in North America for drywall, ceilings, steel framing and other building materials.

Officials from OSHA presented the award today during a ceremony at the branch. The Star is the highest recognition within OSHA's VPP. To achieve it, employees, management and OSHA work together to implement safety and health programs and processes that go beyond OSHA regulations to further protect employees and promote safe operations. Fewer than 2,000 of the more than 7 million worksites in the United States have received the Star designation.

The L&W branch in Perrysburg supplies building materials to contractors, homebuilders and other customers in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. Like all L&W branches, it specializes in delivering materials and then stocking them throughout the job site. The branch opened in 1977 under the name Toledo Drywall.

The Perrysburg branch has an exceptional safety record: On October 6, the employees surpassed eight consecutive years without experiencing a lost-time injury.

"Congratulations to the employees at Perrysburg for this outstanding recognition and your commitment to safety," said Brendan Deely, president and chief executive officer, L&W Supply, and executive vice president, USG. "The Star award is important not only to the Perrysburg team but to L&W as a company, because working safely is the foundation of how we do things. Safety is a core value and is central to our operating philosophy. It isn't just a slogan; it is a way of life."

The Perrysburg employees underwent a rigorous application process for the Star designation. The process began in July 2009 and included implementing new processes and developing documentation in preparation for a three-day OSHA site audit.

"We are pleased to be working in partnership with OSHA to ensure that we uphold the highest standards in safety, and we are very proud of this recognition because it validates our hard work and commitment," said Tom Pakulski, branch manager, L&W Supply, Perrysburg.

L&W Supply and USG are recognized as industry leaders in safety. Eleven USG manufacturing facilities have earned VPP Star. More than 140 of L&W's 155 branches have worked more than 1,000 consecutive days without a lost-time injury, and three branches have worked more than 10,000 consecutive days without a lost-time injury.

USG Corporation is a manufacturer and distributor of high-performance building systems through its United States Gypsum Company, USG Interiors, Inc., L&W Supply Corporation and other subsidiaries. Headquartered in Chicago, USG's worldwide operations serve the residential and non-residential construction markets, repair and remodel construction markets, and industrial processes. USG's wall, ceiling, flooring and roofing products provide leading-edge building solutions for customers, while L&W Supply branch locations efficiently stock and deliver building materials nationwide. For additional information, visit the USG Web site at http://www.usg.com.